Explore the best in contemporary science fiction and fantasy at the Sci-Friday book club. Join local blogger Michael Senft and Poisoned Pen’s Pat King on this journey every third Friday.

March’s selection is V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic. A 2015 Goodreads Choice Finalist for Best Fantasy Novel,A Darker Shade of Magic is set in four parallel Londons – Red London, where magic is common; Grey London, where magic scarce; White London, a despotic city where the rulers horde all the magic for themselves; and Black London, which has been destroyed by its powerful magic.Kell is a traveler, able to journey between the Londons, serving as a messenger and sometime smuggler. When he accepts a job trying to smuggle an artifact from Black London he finds himself on the run, along with Lila, a mysterious cutpurse who saves his life.